Hints for Hounds

Hash Hints

Here are a few suggestions and explanations which will help you to enjoy the Hash:

1. Hashing is totally non-competitive although someone has to be first. If by some fluke you manage to find yourself in this unfortunate position (or anywhere near it ), yell "ON - ON" until you are exhausted enough to fall back to your rightful place in the pack. These calls are not designed to help you but the poor unfortunate at the rear who can then shortcut (HASH TACTICAL) back to the pack. The sounding of the HASH HORN achieves the same aim for all but the stone deaf.

2. If it is your misfortune to arrive first at a check, don't sit down and rest, or stand about like a wet weed, but look for the new trail and shout "CHECKING" loud and often. Very correct hashers will call off the marks "ON ONE" "ON TWO" and then "CHECK BACK" should they chance on a "T" signifying a false trail, otherwise "ON-ON". Having said that, it is usually considerate to return to the check mark and see if the pack has gathered before calling the "ON-ON". In fact it is a breach of Hash etiquette to call the "ON" from the end of the trail and not the check - if you do, make sure the RA is not around. Sometimes the hares will call out "HOLD THE CHECK" - a considerate move allowing the back runners to catch up and catch their breath before moving on as one pack again.

3. The "social pack" retains its superiority by the deployment of its greater intelligence. Short cutting from the rear (HASH TACTICALS) is to be positively encouraged and a united pack is far better for warding off homicidal landowners and rabid Rottweilers.

4. Move at your own pace. Ignore the FRBs who urge you to go faster. If you should fall behind, try a HASH TACTICAL. If your tactic is successful you may be accused by a jealous FRB of being an SCB - a SHORT CUTTING BASTARD. If so, just ignore it; such accusations merely confirm your superior abilities.

5. Always try to keep at least one hasher between you and anything which looks at all fierce such as bulls, pitbull terriers, geese and pigs or Polish ladies.

6. If you hear the cry "LOOKING" it means that the trail has disappeared into thin air. This could be due to several reasons the Hares playing silly Bs or simply running out of Flour, the trail being washed out by rain or an attack of flour blindness by the front runners. Usually in this event the pack will spread out and the trail is soon located.

7. If you wish to know what the hell is going on up front, call "ARE YOU?" which should evoke the response "CHECKING", "FALSE TRAIL", "ON-ON" or even “CHECKITOUTYOURSELFYOULAZYGIT”

8. Hashing is about enjoying oneself. Don’t be afraid to do just that.